Azul Serra ABC on Filming 'SENNA' with TLS Rehoused Canon Lenses

Azul Serra is a skilled Director of Photography with experience in feature films, TV series, documentaries, commercials, and music videos. His recent success is the Netflix series 'SENNA', which is competing at the Critics Choice Awards 2025. Azul has won three ABC Awards: Best Cinematography in Advertising Film (2018 and 2020) and Best Cinematography for a TV Series (Cangaço Novo).

Azul studied Cinematography at FAAP and earned a Master’s in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography from the London College of Communication. His journey began in 2006 when he moved to London. During this time, he worked as a cinematographer covering breaking news in conflict zones and major international events, developing a sharp, documentary-driven perspective that continues to inform his cinematographic style.

Azul’s diverse background and global experiences have shaped his ability to adapt to different formats and genres, always delivering powerful and visually compelling narratives. His commitment to storytelling through light, composition, and movement makes him one of the most notable cinematographers working in contemporary film and television.

The Production of 'SENNA'

The Netflix series Senna stands out as one of the most ambitious Brazilian productions to date, capturing the life and legacy of the legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna. This large-scale project took Azul Serra and the production team across multiple countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Northern Ireland. Post-production and visual effects were spread across the United States, Canada, India, and Brazil, while editorial took place in Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, and Los Angeles.

Some impressive statistics highlight the scope of the production:

Filming took place over 325 days, involving two filming units and the use of an LED studio.
The core crew included 2,206 people, with 569 of them being Brazilian.
A total of 3,374 individuals contributed to the production, including the VFX and post-production teams.
The cast consisted of 231 actors from nine countries, representing 18 nationalities.
Over 14,000 extras were used throughout the production.

For Azul, working on 'SENNA' was both a great responsibility and a deep honour. "I grew up watching Senna race every Sunday at home," he shares. "I remember the day of his accident and many of the iconic moments we recreated in the series. This project was personal for me, and I wanted to honour his memory through my work."

Choosing TLS Rehoused Lenses

The choice of lenses was one of the most crucial decisions in the production of 'SENNA', with Azul Serra and his team placing their trust in TLS Rehoused Canon lenses to achieve the film’s distinctive visual style. For dramatic scenes, the team primarily used Canon K35 lenses, while the high-speed racing sequences were captured with Canon FD lenses. Both sets were carefully rehoused by TLS to ensure precision and reliability throughout the production. Although the team employed various zoom lenses, the majority of the footage in 'SENNA' was captured with TLS rehoused lenses.

A standout lens for the production was the 50mm Canon 'Dream' Lens f0.95, affectionately nicknamed "Bandida" ("The Outlaw") by Azul and his team. Azul recalls, "Every time it came out, something special was about to happen." This lens played a crucial role in capturing the film’s intimate moments, particularly in scenes that highlighted the rawness of Senna’s breathing, adding a deeply emotional and immersive layer to the experience.

The versatility and quality of the lenses allowed the team to effortlessly shift between the high-energy racing scenes and the deeply personal moments that defined Senna’s journey. This flexibility proved essential in crafting the emotional depth and powerful narrative that resonated with audiences around the world.

"TLS rehoused lenses are robust, with flawless mechanics. You can feel that there is a great deal of dedication, talent, and precision science behind each rehouse. They are stable, well-crafted, and highly reliable."

- Azul Serra, ABC